Cherry Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe
These Cherry Vanilla Cupcakes offer a delightful combination of moist vanilla-flavored cake studded with fresh cherries and topped with a sweet cherry-infused frosting. Perfect for any celebration or as a sweet treat, these cupcakes are fluffy, flavorful, and easy to prepare.
- Author: Caleb
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Cupcakes
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 ¾ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved (or canned cherries, drained)
Frosting
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cherry juice
- Optional: Additional cherries for garnish
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with paper liners to prepare for baking.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the vanilla extract thoroughly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt evenly.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with the whole milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture and stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Cherries: Carefully fold in the halved cherries to distribute them evenly throughout the batter without crushing them.
- Fill the Cupcake Liners: Spoon the cupcake batter into the prepared liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
- Bake: Place the cupcake tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Cool the Cupcakes: Remove cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and cherry juice. Whisk until smooth and creamy to form the frosting.
- Frost the Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are fully cooled, evenly frost each cupcake using a piping bag or knife for an attractive finish.
- Garnish: Optionally, place a halved cherry on top of each frosted cupcake for an extra decorative touch.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh cherries when in season, or well-drained canned cherries as a substitute.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep cupcakes light and tender.
- You can substitute whole milk with a dairy-free alternative if desired.
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
Keywords: Cherry cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes, cherry vanilla cupcakes, cherry frosting, homemade cupcakes, dessert, baking